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Subject: CD-ROM with simulations
From: Rik Min, University of Twente, Holland.

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Enclosed information about:

 - simulations,
 - simulation systems,
 - texts about the PI theory,
 - a textbook about educational simulation technology and
 - a manual about the MacTHESIS

on CD-ROM, named:

"SIMULATIONS; EXPERIMENTAL PRODUCTS WITH PARALLEL INSTRUCTION"


                            S I M U L A T I O N S :

                 E X P E R I M E N T A L   P R O D U C T S

                                  W I T H

                  P A R A L L E L   I N S T R U C T I O N


In September 1993 a CD-ROM with 11 computer simulation programs in English,
as well as others in Dutch, for Macintosh computers will be available from
the Faculty of Educational Science and Technology of the University of
Twente. The simulations model a variety of processes, such as:

 - the regulation of body fluids,
 - control mechanisms in the cardiovascular system,
 - a small ecosystem,
 - a fishing pond,
 - a sun heater,
 - some chemical processes,
 - coagulation,
 - the stimulation of nerve fibers
 - and others.

Most of these programs are prototypes. They have been developed using the
MacTHESIS design system. This design system is a kind of authoring system to
transform mathematical models into learning environments. A version of the
MacTHESIS system is on the CD-ROM.

Beside the programs, and the MacTHESIS system, there is a lot of
instruction and documentation on the CD-ROM, aspecially a textbook about
computer simulation technology.

The simulation environments are based on a new theoretical concept about
instruction in simulationenvironments: the 'parallel instruction' theory for
simulation: the PI theory.

You can use this CD-ROM for demonstrations, courses, experiments, and in
your lessons.


The CD-ROM with experimental simulation products based on the PI theory is a
major step in letting you know what we have done in the field of educational
software. Some seven years ago (1986) the first version of a design system
for educational computer simulations was developed at the University of
Twente. Through the years we have constantly been improving this design
system.

We did a lot of research with MacTHESIS and the computer simulations it
produced. This CD-ROM contains:

  - many different simulation programs
  - many types of instructional materials

We have also experimented with different uses of windows, different uses of
visualization, different user interfaces, and different kinds of feedback
strategies. We also developed theoretical standpoints regarding educational
computer simulation.

The CD-ROM also contains information and articles about

        - the MacTHESIS philosophy,
        - the PI theory and
        - the PITS design method of Min (1992)

This CD-ROM contains also the design system MacTHESIS and a design manual.

Students in the Faculty of Educational Science and Technology program
designed a lot of programs in the course "Learning through educational
computer simulation". We ourselves did the time-consuming job of
re-designing these programs until they were almost perfected.

The core of this CD-ROM is composed of the computer simulation programs and
the accompanying documentation, everything else has been included for the
user's benefit purely for demonstration purposes.

AUDIENCE
This CD-ROM is for three types of audiences:
 - the first type of audience is learners;
 - the second type of audience is teachers;
 - the third type of audience is designers.

GOAL
1. The first goal of this CD-ROM is to show you some computer simulation
programs, built with our concept of 'parallelism', based on the 'parallel
instruction' theory for simulation (the 'PI theory').
2. The second goal is to show you our tools for making simulations;
3. The third goal is to show you our product MacTHESIS for building computer
simulation programs.

CONTENTS
The CD-ROM contains a lot of demonstration simulation programs built with
MacTHESIS and instructional programs built with HyperCard, both based on the
parallel instruction theory for simulation of Min (1992). The following
simulations are available:

                - CARDIO, the cardiovascular system of the human body
                - FLUIDS, the body fluids and the electrolytes
                - BRINE PURIFICATION, an example for operator training
                - CHEMISTRY, a titration program
                - FARMA, the two-compartiments model out the farmacokinetic
                - CELLS, the growth of two kinds of single-celled organisms
                - SUCROS, the growth of grain in Africa.
                - LEMMINGS, a predator-prey model
                - AXON, an example from physiology
                - TRANSISTOR, an basic transistor circuit
                - COAGULATION, the coagulation of milk in the cheesemaking
    process (with 'model-driven desktop' videofragments)

There are also 9 extra simulations available only in Dutch.


CARDIO
The program CARDIO simulatates the blood pressure regulation under normal
and abnormal conditions. The model underlying this program allows the
simulation of pathological conditions, such as myocardial infarct, renal
artery stenosis or renal insufficiency. Therapeutic interventions in
abnormal conditions can also be simulated. The program allows the
application of drugs like cardiac glycosides, diuretics or vasodilator. It
is based an a model developed by T.Coleman, USA.

The computer simulation program CARDIO enables students to experiment with
the basic principles of blood pressure regulation for a healthy young man.
The program simulates an experimental laboratory where hemodynamic research
can be done, variables can be registered, and where interventions in the
model can be made without real-life complications. The computer simulation
program CARDIO is often the first moment in the curriculum in which the
student can check his or here understanding of human circulation in the
context of realistic problems. With this computer simulation program the
student can do a series of experiments, such as the simulation of heart
failure, hypertension, renal failure, exceptional blood loss, selective
venous constriction, and selective arterial constriction. These
interventions can be selected by the student or chosen as a case by the
teacher. When it is presented as a case the student can be asked to form a
diagnosis and operate therapeutically, starting the hemodynamic picture on
the graphical screen. The student has the possibility to introduce medicines
like heart glycoside (digitalis), vasodilator, diureticum,
sympathicolyticum, or noradrenaline.

FLUIDS
The mathematical model underlying this program contains over 200 variables
and describes control mechanisms of body fluid volumes and
electrolytes as well as respiratory control mechanisms. This model
allows a variety of simulations of e.g. thirst, fluid loss,
exaggerated drinking, carbon dioxide inhalation, severe physical
exercise, etc. The student can again infuse fluids of different
compositions, give a diuretic, etc. The basic physiology of respiratory and
metabolic acidosis and alkalosis can be studied with this model. It is based
an a model developed by Ikeda et al, Japan.

The computer simulation program FLUIDS enables students to experiment with a
model of the human water and electrolyte system and the regulation of
respiration and its underlying (basic) physiology and pathophysiology. The
simulation consists of the following: heart and cardiovascular system,
lungs, intra- and extra cellular fluid compartments, nerve reflections, the
kidney, and a number of hormonal systems with an influence on the kidney
function. In some ways this simulation coincides with the model of the
computer simulation program CARDIO, but in several important parts it is
much more extensive. The computer simulation program FLUIDS simulates a kind
of experimental laboratory environment, so that students can do research on
water and salt regulation and the regulation of respiration under various
circumstances.
Students have 'a testee' at their disposal so to speak, with which they can
do a series of experiments. Thus it is possible, for example, to imitate
excessive thirsting, sweating, or excessive loss of water and salt. A change
in the oxygen and carbon dioxide fraction during breathing can also be
simulated. Furthermore disorders in the acid-base balance can be simulated
and the function of the kidney .
Beside interventions with the potential of making the patient ill,
therapeutic interventions are also possible, such as applying infusions of
various compositions in order to give extra oxygen for breathing or the
administration of a diuretic. It is also possible to do the so-called
glucose tolerance test. Despite the complexity of the model it has been
observed that students can easily find their way in this computer simulation
program. In this simulation the emphasis is on free investigation in order
to develop in the students an overall picture of the way the human body
works as a complex physiological dynamic system.

BRINE PURIFICATION / PEKEL
For the chemical company AKZO Hengelo, the University of Twente developed a
computer simulation program named BRINE PURIFICATION (Van Schaick Zillesen,
1990). This program is based about a mathematical model of the complete
chemical plant for brine purification of the local mining industry. In the
dynamic processes on the screen the trainee can intervene by clicking the
mouse in 'in-click regions' or else with the help of pull-down menus.

The brine purification process is a relatively slow process. Usually it
takes several hours before the consequences of an intervention in the
installation (e.g. changing the flow of one of the components introduced in
the process) can be observed. For this reason it is hard to get a good
understanding of the reactions of the process in on-the-job training,
because in the meantime the team of operators making the intervention may be
replaced by another team. Furthermore other disturbances may have occurred,
causing the operators to make new interventions. For this reason it is hard
to study the influence of an intervention independently.
The educational simulation, which proceeds with a speed of approximately
1000 times real time enables the operators to get a quick, direct response
that can be studied independently. For this reason operators may get a
better understanding of the processes in the brine purification installation
if they are able to experiment with the educational simulation program.

SUCROS
This simulation models the growth of grain in Zambia. It is based an a model
developed by H. van Keulen.

LEMMINGS / LEMMINGEN
This program contains a prey-beast /predator model. The program is a
simulation of a small tundra ecosystem consisting of lemmings, foxes, and
grass. It is based on a model developed by P. van Schaick Zillesen (1990).

On the arctic tundra strong fluctuations occur in the numbers of lemming,
predators and herbs. At the end of years with extremely high densities
(outbreaks) of lemmings all the plants are eaten causing starvation of most
of the lemmings. Years with outbreaks of lemming are usually followed by
years with extremely low densities.
After an outbreak of lemmings it will usually take three or four years
before the next  outbreak occurs. Fluctuations of predators like arctic
foxes, which are dependent on lemmings as their main source of food, usually
show the same pattern as the lemming fluctuations (with some delay).
Schultz (1969) described the relations between lemmings, their food (herbs),
their predators (mainly arctic foxes) and the bottom of the arctic tundra.
He emphasized the role of changing nutrient concentrations in the dynamics
of the arctic tundra system. In the spring of a year with an outbreak of
lemmings almost all minerals are present in the herbs. However, as a result
of the consumption by the rodents most of these nutrients are deposited on
the surface of the tundra in the form of faeces during the same year. The
next year plant growth is minimal because of the low nutrient concentrations
prevailing in the soil. It will take several years for the faeces to
mineralize because of the extreme polar climate. However, the third year
after the outbreak the mineral level of the tundra soil has gradually
increased to a point that enables rapid plant growth. However, the nutrient
level in the crop is still very low during this year. A high nutrient level
in the crop, enabling a good lactation in lemming females, is required in
order to cause a lemming breeding success. For this reason the number of
lemmings does not rise proportionally to the plant growth during this year.
However, during the next year the nutrient concentration in the herbs is
much higher causing a new outbreak of lemmings. The program LEMMING
simulates the processes described above. The model on which the program is
based has been developed as part of this study and has so far not been
published anywhere else.

CELLS
This program simulates the growth of two kinds of single-celled organisms in
laboratory cultures. The organisms compete with one another over limited
resources. This model is from Lotka, A.J. (1925). Elements of physical
biology. Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore. (Reprtinted as: Elements of
mathematical biology in1956 by Dover, New York). A more modern treatment can
be found in: Pianka, E.R. (1978). Evolutionary Ecology. Harper & Row. New
York. 5 cases are built into the program:
 - case 1: competitive exclusion
 - case 2: stable equilibrium
 - case 3: symbiosis
 - case 4: fragile equilibrium
 - case 5: monoculture species 1

CHEMISTRY
This simulation models chemical reactions in a laboratory setting. CHEMISTRY
simulates titration experiments. The titration of acid solutions by means of
bases can be simulated as well as the titration of basic solutions by means
of acids. The simulation of strong acids and bases is possible as well as
the simulation of weak acids and bases. The model on which CHEMISTRY is
based has been derived by van Schaick Zillesen and Min from general
theories
about acid-base equilibria.CHEMISTRY is designed in order to enable students
to practice the skill to determine the properties (strength, pKa, pKb) of
solutions of acids and bases by titration with standardized acids or bases.
Furthermore, students may use the program to exercise two skills:
- the skill to calculate the pH of a solution of which the original
composition is known after the addition of known quantities of standardized
solutions (acids, bases or water).
- the skill to recalculate the original composition of a solution of which
the pH and the quantities of standardized solutions added to it are known.

The simulated experiments can be executed very accurately because drops of
acid or base can be added to the solution one after another. The speed of
the chemical reactions is retarded in the simulation. For this reason it may
take some time before the reaction caused by the addition of a drop of acid
or base is completed. This dynamic aspect may facilitate the discrimination
of the chemical reactions causing the observed phenomena. Furthermore, time
registrations of the pH, the pOH, the concentration of cation of base, the
concentration of anion of acid, the concentration of non-ionized base and
the concentration of non-ionized acid are provided for in the simulation. In
a real laboratory this complete information can only be attained by means of
expensive ion-sensitive electrodes.

COAGULATION
This program is developed with MacTHESIS, version 5.0 experimental with
"desktop video feedback messages". QuickTime must be installed in order to
use this version of COAGULATION. The program can simulate coagulation in
milk ('stremmen'). With this milk cheese is making. There are one
'text-message' and three 'video messages' in this program:

 - there is a text-message if nothing is done within the program; that means
the student hasn't intervened in the model.
 - there is a video-message if you have put enzyme into the milk-vat
 - there is a video-message which indicates that coagulation has not yet
occurred
 - there is a video-message which appears when coagulation has occured

FARMA
This program is a simulation of the two-compartiments model from
farmacokinetics. The program is exclusively meant for demonstration
purposes. The program knows three ways of administering:
 - intravenous
 - infusion
 - intra-musc. injection

TRANSISTOR,
Many mathematical models of a transistor are known. Some of these models are
matrix-models, treating the transistor as a black box, presenting sets of
values of output variables as a result of sets of values of input
parameters
like input impedance, voltage gain etc. Other models simulate the transistor
in a more transparent way. In these models, the transistor is described by
means of an electronic circuit. The models can be used in order to study the
transistor's behaviour in a dynamic way by changing the parameters. The
model of a transistor, implemented in the prototype TRANSISTOR, belongs to
the second type of models. It describes the behaviour of a transistor in a
normal low signal amplifier circuit. The model has been developed for
educational applications by Min and Malhotra (1988) and Min and Van Leeuwen
(1990, not published)

AXON
More than fifty years ago action potentials were first recorded by means of
external electrodes by Hodgkin and Huxley. Based on the results of their
experiments they designed a new revolutionary theory about action potential
generation which meant a breakthrough in electrophysiology at the time. In
1952 Hodgkin and Huxley published a quantitative model of the electrical and
electrochemical phenomena in the environment of the membrane of a nerve
fiber based on their theory. The original model of Hodgkin and Huxley was
not a mathematical model but an electric circuit consisting of capacitors
and resistors. however, it is very simple to transfer this model into a
mathematical model. The prototype AXON is based on such a mathematical
model. Although some of the aspects of the conductivity of the cell membrane
were not described correctly by Hodgkin and Huxley, their model is still
very useful for the education of medical students and biology students as it
can be used as a simplified version of the correct model thus helping the
students to build a conceptual 'framework' model which can be filled with
the complete and correct conceptual model in a later phase of their
education. It can also be used as a demonstration for the experimental
research techniques used in cell physiology.



BOOK
The CD-ROM also contains a textbook from F.B.M. Min about 'computer
simulation technology', the design system MacTHESIS and some design manuals.

REFERENCE:
Min, F.B.M., (1992)
Parallel Instruction, a theory for Educational Computer Simulation.
Interactive Learning Intern., Vol. 8, no. 3, 177-183.

POSTAL ADDRESS:
F. B. M. Min, Educational Instrumentation Technology,
University of Twente, P.O.Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands.

E-mail adress: Min@EDTE.UTwente.nl

=================== Send me =========================================

O   Info package: free

O   Extended info package: 25 Dutch Guilders

0   CD-ROM: 300 Dutch Guilders

0   Send me more information about your simulation courses.

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